SIR Michael Spicer could be named the new chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs next week - placing him in charge of the party's leadership battle.

Elections for the prestigious post take place on Wednesday, with the West Worcestershire MP the front runner in a field of three.

He is competing against significant others in Gillian Shephard, a former Cabinet Minister, and John Butterfill.

But he is the warm favourite to succeed, plunging him straight into the thick of the action.

Because a perk - or otherwise - of the job is to organise the Parliamentary party's leadership ballot.

And with Michael Portillo facing a stiff challenge from right-wingers Iain Duncan-Smith and David Davis, as well as party chairman Michael Ancram, it promises to be an interesting contest.

MPs will select two candidates to go forward to a vote of the party's rank and file membership later in the year.

Hunting for clarity

THE most vague section of this week's Queen's Speech concerned hunting. It promised another free vote on proposals to ban the pursuit.

But that was all. It didn't say how the vote would take place, or whether the Parliament Act would be used to force through a ban if the Commons was in favour but the Lords was not.

So, did the MPs understand what was going to happen? Experts such as Mike Foster and Peter Luff didn't have a clue.

In desperation, the advice of the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman was sought.

He said: ''The commitment was to give the new House a free vote. The precise mechanism is yet to be decided. Whether it is a Bill or a motion will become clear in due course.''

Suddenly everything was clear... as mud.

Top spot for Sir Michael?

SIR Michael Spicer could be named the new chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs next week - placing him in charge of the party's leadership battle.

Elections for the prestigious post take place on Wednesday, with the West Worcestershire MP the front runner in a field of three.

He is competing against significant others in Gillian Shephard, a former Cabinet Minister, and John Butterfill.

But he is the warm favourite to succeed, plunging him straight into the thick of the action.

Because a perk - or otherwise - of the job is to organise the Parliamentary party's leadership ballot.

And with Michael Portillo facing a stiff challenge from right-wingers Iain Duncan-Smith and David Davis, as well as party chairman Michael Ancram, it promises to be an interesting contest.

MPs will select two candidates to go forward to a vote of the party's rank and file membership later in the year.

Hunting for clarity

THE most vague section of this week's Queen's Speech concerned hunting. It promised another free vote on proposals to ban the pursuit.

But that was all. It didn't say how the vote would take place, or whether the Parliament Act would be used to force through a ban if the Commons was in favour but the Lords was not.

So, did the MPs understand what was going to happen? Experts such as Mike Foster and Peter Luff didn't have a clue.

In desperation, the advice of the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman was sought.

He said: ''The commitment was to give the new House a free vote. The precise mechanism is yet to be decided. Whether it is a Bill or a motion will become clear in due course.''

Suddenly everything was clear... as mud.